Lightning strike at Ohio prison leaves 16 hospitalized, 2 still in care

Key points

• 16 inmates were hospitalized after a lightning strike at Grafton Correctional Institution, located 30 miles southwest of Cleveland, on Tuesday night.
• Two inmates remained hospitalized in stable condition as of Friday, with one expected to be discharged; 14 others have returned to the facility.
• The strike occurred while inmates were walking back from dinner, and the yard had been closed due to weather conditions.
• One inmate was airlifted to a hospital, and emergency crews declared a mass casualty incident, with ambulances from three counties responding.
• No deaths were reported, and no staff members were injured, but questions remain about why inmates were outside during the storm.

Background

The incident occurred at Grafton Correctional Institution, which houses over 2,000 inmates for minimum and medium security levels and has been in operation since 1988. The facility is located in Lorain County, approximately 30 miles southwest of Cleveland. The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction is conducting an after-action review of the incident.

How outlets are covering it

ABC News reported that 16 inmates were hospitalized after the lightning strike, with one airlifted to a hospital and no deaths reported. Cleveland 19 News provided additional details, noting that two inmates remained hospitalized in stable condition as of Friday, with one expected to be discharged. They also reported that the National Weather Service did not issue a severe storm warning before the strike, and that prison staff declined to answer questions about hospital transfers. News 5 Cleveland confirmed the mass casualty incident and the response from ambulances from three counties, but did not provide additional details on the cause of the strike or the reasons for the inmates being outside.

Why it matters

The incident raises concerns about the safety of inmates during severe weather and the adequacy of storm protocols in correctional facilities. The lack of a severe storm warning and the questions about why inmates were outside during the storm highlight the need for improved safety measures and communication during weather events. The after-action review by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction is expected to provide insights into the incident and potential improvements to prevent similar events in the future.

What to watch

The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction is conducting an after-action review of the incident. The two remaining hospitalized inmates are expected to be discharged, with one expected to be released on Friday. The facility is expected to provide additional updates on the incident and the review process.